Alan Pardew is confident he will be allowed to strengthen his injury hit Newcastle United squad in January after Mike Ashley, the club's owner, expressed concern that resources are becoming over-stretched. With Yohan Cabaye the latest casualty – the France midfielder is preparing to undergo groin surgery which will sideline him until the New Year – Pardew's players are finding competing in both the Premier League and the Europa League tough going, although a win at home to Marítimo in the latter competition on Thursday will ensure they reach the knockout stages. Successive defeat against West Ham United and Swansea City at St James' Park have left them a disappointing 12th in the domestic League.

Pardew though is reassured by support from Ashley and the club's managing director, Derek Llambias, who may now be regretting their decision to only permit him to sign Vurnon Anita from Ajax last summer.

"We are all concerned," said Pardew who hopes to recruit Mathieu Debuchy, the France right-back from Lille in the New Year.

Until the transfer window opens Newcastle's manager trusts his players will show him why they do not need to be replaced and he is hoping for a strong performance against tonight's visitors from the Portugese island of Madeira.

"We've lost two home games and that's not acceptable for us," he said. "We need to make sure we win and qualify so it's a big night for us. We entered the Europa League to win it.

"This is the first time since I've been there that we've lost a couple of home games on the spin like that. We've lost so many players to injuries and we've lost rhythm because of lack of time to work on the training pitch due to playing so many matches. It's difficult but losing two home games is not acceptable to us."

With Cabaye absent and Cheik Tiote suspended once again, Pardew is likely to field Anita – who is struggling to adapt to the Premier League – in central midfield. He may also recall Jonás Gutiérrez following a knee injury as well as Fabricio Coloccini and Papiss Cissé after suspension but Shola Ameobi is doubtful with groin trouble.